[5] He signed professional forms in July 1961, before making his senior debut on 27 January 1962 in an FA Cup tie against Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion.

[4] Unfortunately for Thomson, he was too late for the glory years and instead came through under the tail-end of manager Stan Cullis' sixteen-year reign.

He played 44 games of the 1969–70 campaign in a settled back four made up of Thomson, Dave Robinson, Garry Pendrey, and Ray Martin.

Thomson's teams had a knack for finishing second in the second tier, as the "Hatters" achieved this in 1973–74, as they watched Middlesbrough sprint away with the title.

In 1976, his career was drawing to a close, and his best days behind him, Thomson went back to the States, spending a short period with Hartford Bicentennials.

He returned to the English Football League, and the West Midlands, with Third Division Port Vale in October 1976.

[1] He made an 'impressive' debut in a 3–2 defeat to Wrexham at Vale Park on 16 October 1976 and earned himself both a regular first-team spot and the captaincy.

[1] He played 24 games for Roy Sproson's team in 1976–77, before he returned to the re-branded Connecticut Bicentennials as player-coach in March 1977.